Spray device

ABSTRACT

A spray device for spraying a liquid, and more particularly a spray device adapted to suck and spray a liquid contained in a container by means of the suction of compressed air spurted from a nozzle. This device is a pressure accumulative spray device in which compressed air produced by finger pressure is not spurted immediately but temporarily maintained under accumulative pressure, the compressed air being spurted at a stretch when the accumulative pressure reaches a predetermined level, the reduced pressure resulting from the spray being replenished by a spring device, compressed air of a predetermined amount and pressure being invariably spurted independent of the manner of pressing the spray button thereby enabling to obtain a spray of uniform particles and a predetermined amount of spray liquid.

United States Patent 1191 Kondo 1 1 SPRAY DEVICE 22 Filed: Sept. 9, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 504,198

52 us. c1. 239/357 51 1m. c1. A62C 11/04; 8058 11/06 [58] Field of Search 239/370, 357, 36.3; 222/206, 207, 209

[56] References Cited unmzo STATES PATENTS 2,462,563 2/1949 Seyforth 239/357 2.624.621 l/1953 Peeps 239/357 3,036,781 5/1962 Raehs et a1. 239/357 3,101,905 8/1963 Hoenig 239/357 3,191,867 6/1965 Helms 239/357 3,484,047 12/1969 Tunaka 239/357 14 1 Sept. 23, 1975 Primary ExaminerLloyd L. King Attorney, Agent, or FirmWenderoth, Lind & Ponack [5 7] ABSTRACT A spray device for spraying a liquid, and more particularly a spray device adapted to suck and spray a liquid contained in a container by means of the suction of compressed air spurted from a nozzle.

This device is a pressure accumulative spray device in which compressed air produced by finger pressure is not spurted immediately but temporarily maintained under accumulative pressure, the compressed air being spurted at a stretch when the accumulative pressure reaches a predetermined level, the reduced pressure resulting from the spray being replenished by a spring device, compressed air of a predetermined amount and pressure being invariably spurted independent of the manner of pressing the spray button thereby enabling to obtain a spray of uniform particles and a predetermined amount of spray liquid.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,907,206

FIG.1

FIG.2

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,907,206

FIG-3 FIG! US Patent Sept. 23,1975 v Sheet 3 of3 3,907,206

32 35 j, 40 36 4 :i/ 22 Q/ 18 SPRAY DEVICE This invention relates to an accumulatively corn pressed air spray device in which compressed air pro.- duced by finger pressure is temporarily. maintained under accumulative pressure by means of springs before spurted from a nozzle thereby enabling to spray a liquid by the suction at the time of spurt.

In the case of perfumes, pharmaceuticals and the like, it is necessary that a very small amount of accurately measured liquid be sprayed in a minute mist.

Heretofore, the most extensively used device for spraying a liquid has been the so-called aerosol type fixed quantity spray device enabling to easily obtain a fine mist with convenient spray operation.

However, the device of the foregoing type comprises a suitably pressurized propellent, such as dichlorodifluoromethane and the like, as a spray actuation component of the liquid contained in the container. Therefore, the conventional device has an intrinsic defect in that the necessity of preparing a pressure container and filling it with a propellent results in an increase of the production cost.

Furthermore, since most of the propellents are more or less poisonous, the conventional device is unsuitable from the medical viewpoint for an inhalant which is inhaled deep into the trachea.

Moreover, said propellent is separated into two phases without dissolving in a water solution or a soluble effective gredient. Therefore, fixed quantity spray is found difficult in the case of pharmaceuticals or the like for which inorganic components are preferable.

In view of the foregoing, for example, a spray method in which no such propellent is used but a pressure type spray pump with finger pressure is employed as a driving source, or a spray method in which compressed air produced by finger pressure is utilized asa propellent has been introduced.

These spray methods, however, have also an intrinsic defect in that the spray pattern greatly varies according to the strength of the finger pressure and that of the compressed air for pressing the liquid.

To be more precise, in the case of the foregoing method of vaporizing the liquid by means of a piston driven by finger pressure, spray is unobtainable if the finger pressure applied to the spray head is insufficient.

For the same reason, the conventional spray method in which compressed air is used as a propellent has also a defect in that a rough mist is produced about the end of the spray or the liquid dripped from the nozzle due to a reduction of pressure. Moreover, the spray device of this type in which air is simply compressed has a further defect in that the greater external driving force is necessitated, the further proceeds the compressing process.

This invention is concerned with a pressure accumulative spray device ofa hand-operated spray pump type in which compressed air obtained by pressing a piston is maintained under accumulative pressure by means of a spring device, the compressed air being spurted when the accumulative pressure reaches a predetermined level, thus compressed air of a predetermined amount and pressure being invariably spurted thereby enabling to obtain a mist of uniform particles and a spray liquid of a predetermined amount.

A first object of this invention is to provide a pressure accumulative spray device in which compressed air 2 produced by the pressure of -a piston is pressurized by another piston, the compressed air being spurted after the pressure accumulation thereby enabling to obtain a spray pattern of a uniform amount and pressure to the last independent of variation of the pressure applied to the piston.

A second object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive pressure accumulative spray device which is of a simple construction and accordingly discardable after a use un'grudgingly.

A third object of this invention is to provide a spray device in which an additional spring member is employed for pressurization thereby enabling to obtain a fine mist through high pressure spray and with less finger pressure. 7

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, improvements, combinations and arrangements constituting this invention, preferred embodiments of which are shown by way of example in the annexed drawings and herein described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a view of a first embodiment of a pressure accumulative spray device according to this invention showing the state in which said spray device is used in an inverted state.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view showing the spray device in an inverted state prior to application of pressure to a piston.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view showing the same after application of pressure to the piston illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the principal part of a second embodiment of the pressure accumulative spray device in an upright state showing the state prior to application of pressure to the piston.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a third embodiment of the pressure accumulative spray device in an upright state shown prior to application of pressure to the piston. 2

Referring to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the spray device (A) of this invention is airtightly mounted by any known method on the opening of a container (B) holdable with one'hand, seal or packing, if necessary, being interposed therebetween in order to obtain better airtightness.

The spray device (A) generally comprises a cylinder body 11 fittable to the opening of the container (B); a

1 piston 12 insertable into the cylinder body 11 for producing compressed air by the pressure applied thereto; a piston 13 built within said piston 12 for pressurizing the compressed air; a nozzle 14 mounted on the cylinder body for spurting the compressed air therethrough so that spray is effected by the suction thereof; and a piston rod 15 for releasing the outflux of the compressed air to the nozzle 14 simultaneously with completion of the pressure application to the piston 12.

Now, each part of the spray device is hereinunder described in detail based upon the inverted state thereof. The cylinder body 11 has a partition wall 16 in the middle part thereof, a threaded tubular member 18 externally engageable with a threaded tubular opening 17 of the containertB) being continuously formed on one side of the partition wall 16, a tubular cylinder chamber l9 having an open free end being continuously formed on the other side of the partition wall 16, respectively, the body 11 formed with a synthetic resin or the like being mounted on the container (B) so that the interior of the container (B) is separated from the cylinder chamber 19 by the partition wall 16.

In the center of the partition wall 16 are formed a stem-shaped projection 20 formed downwardly continuously from said partition wall 20, and a penetration hole 21 penetrating the partition wall 20 axially of the projection 20.

The piston rod 15 penetrates the penetration hole 21 longitudinally reciprocatably, the piston rod 15 being adapted to have an outside diameter slightly smaller than the penetration hole 21 so that an annular space is suitably formed between the outer periphery of the piston rod 15 and the penetration hole 21.

On the upper end of the piston rod 15 is provided a large diameter stopper 22 so as to intercept the the communication between the penetration hole 21 and the container (B) by overlying the partition wall 16 and closing the upper end opening of the penetration hole 21 when the piston rod 15 is at its lowest limit, said stopper 22 allowing the penetration hole 21 to communicate with the interior of the container (B) by releasing said penetration hole 21 at the time of elevation of the piston rod 15.

The stopper 22 is formed with a synthetic resin integrally with the piston rod 15, or an independent soft synthetic resin stopper may be fitted to the piston rod 15.

A valve member 23 outer periphery of which is airtightly slidable on the inner periphery of the penetration hole 21 is secured to the intermediate portion of the piston rod 15 so as to be integrally movable there with. An independent member formed with rubber or soft synthetic resin may be fitted to the piston rod 15 so as to obtain better airtightness at the slidable portion of the valve member 23. The interior of the penetration hole 21 is divided by the valve member 23 into an upper and lower compartment respectively.

The piston 12 the upper part of which is fitted into the cylinder chamber 19 so as to be longitudinally movable therein is of a tubular shape open at its upper end and closed at its bottom, the outer periphery of the piston 12 being slightly spaced from the inner periphery of the cylinder chamber 19, the lower end wall of the piston 12 being a surface to which finger pressure is applied, another cylinder chamber 24 being provided within the piston 12.

On the upper periphery of the piston 12 is continuously formed an annular resilient piece 25, the resilient piece 25 being so formed that it has a gradually diminishing thickness toward its upper end and also outwardly expansible resilience. The resilient piece 25 is airtightly slidable on the inner periphery of the cylinder chamber 19 with a minimum of friction as the piston is forced into the cylinder chamber 19 thereby enabling to sustain the airtightness of said cylinder chamber 19.

Moreover. as the piston 12 is downwardly restored from within the cylinder chamber 19, the resilient piece 25 is slightly detached from the peripheral wall of the cylinder chamber 19 thereby letting therein the outside air so as to prevent the occurrence of vacuum within said cylinder chamber 19.

Therefore, the piston 12 is made up of a synthetic resin, and particularly the resilient piece 25 is adapted to have sufficient resilience.

In the upper part within the piston 12 is extended a sustenance plate 26 the outer periphery of which is securely fitted to the inside of the piston 12, a communication hole 27 being formed through the sustenance plate 26 for the communication between the cylinder chamber 19 and the cylinder chamber 24 within the piston 12. i,

The lower end of the piston rod 15 is fixedly fitted into the central part of the sustenance plate 26 so that the piston 12 and the piston rod 15 are elevated or lowered integrally as a result of the coupling between the piston rod" 15and the sustenance plate 26.

Between the'partition wall 16 and the sustenance wall 26 within the cylinder chamber 19 is constrictively provided a spring member 28 for imparting invariably outwardly projecting resilience to the piston 12.

The piston 12 urged by the spring member 28 is ordinarily located at its lowest position in which the stopper 22 is brought'into abutment against the partition wall 16, the resilient piece 25 being in the state of fitting to the lower part of the cylinder chamber 19 as shown in FIG. 2.

Within the piston 12, another piston 13 is built in the cylinder chamber 24 so as to be longitudinally movable. The outer periphery of the piston 13 is brought into pressure contact with the inner periphery of the cylinder chamber 24, the piston 13 being adapted to have moderate resilience so as to be slidable with negligible friction and sufficient airtightness. The piston 13 is formed with the same material as that of the cylinder 12.

Between the piston 13 and the lower wall of the cylinder chamber 24 is constrictively provided a spring member 29 for invariably urging said piston 13 toward the sustenance plate 26, whereby the piston 13 within the piston 12 is maintained in the state of overlapping the sustenance plate 26 when the piston 12 is not pressed.

Pressure is applied to the air confined within the cylinder chamber 19 when the piston 12 is pressed, the resultant compressed air flowing into the cylinder chamber 24 through the communication hole 27, additional pressure being applied to the compressed air by the spring member 29 through the piston 13, thus the compartment above the piston 13 of the cylinder chamber 24 becoming a pressure accumulation chamber for the compressed air.

With the longitudinal reciprocation of the piston 13, vacuum or compressed air is alternately produced in the lower chamberof the cylinder chamber 24 thereby preventing the smooth movement of said piston 13, an air vent 30 therefore being provided in the lower part of the piston 12.

A notch 31 is provided on the lower end surface of the projection 30 so as to maintain the communication between the cylinder chamber 19 and the penetration hole 21 even when the sustenance plate 26 overlaps said lower end surface as a result of application of pressure to the piston 12.

A nozzle 14 is mounted on the periphery of the cylinder body 11 by inserting it transversely from the portion corresponding to the partition wall 16, a tubular member 32 being coaxially fitted into the tubular interior of the nozzle 14.

A space for admitting the passage of'liquid is formed between the outer periphery of the tubular member 32 and the inner periphery of the nozzle 14. If said space is formed in the shape of a helical groove, helical move ment is imparted to the spray liquid, whereby a more effective spray pattern is obtainable.

On the forward end of the tubular member 32'is provided a hole 34 communicating withav nozzle hole 33 and having a smaller diameter than that of the nozzle hole 33, the other end of the tubular member 32 communicating with the penetration hole 21 through an air passage 35 transversely provided on the partition wall The communication position between the air passage 35 and the penetration hole 21 is determined'in a position in which the cylinder chamber 19 and said air passage 35 communicate with each other when the valve member 23 reaches its highestlimit with the elevation of the piston rod as a result of application of pressure to the cylinder 12.

On the partition wall 16 is transversely provided a liquid outlet 36 permitting the upper part of the penetration hole 21 to communicate with'the'nozzle hole 33 through an annular space thereby enabling the liquid contained in the container (B) to reach the nozzle hole 33.

Around the nozzle 14 on the outerperiphery of the cylinder body 11 is erecteda tubular wall 37 so as to encircle said nozzle 14.

The first embodiment of the spray device according to this invention comprises aconstruction as described hereinbefore. The liquid contained in the container (B) is sprayed by the device (A) as follows.

In the first embodiment spraying of perfumes, inhalations, etc. is conducted by mounting said spray device on a comparatively small container portable in a handbag or the like. The spray device is of an aerosol type which is used in an inverted state.

When the spray device is not in use, the stopper 22 of the piston rod 15 closes the upper end of the penetration hole 21 as a result of the downward pressing by the spring member 28 thereby preventing the outflux of the liquid contained in the container (B) into the nozzle hole 33 as shown in FIG. 2.

Then, finger pressure is applied to the piston 12 by holding the spray device in an inverted state with one hand. As a result of the entry of the piston 12 into the cylinder chamber 19, the air confined within said cylinder chamber 19 is compressed, the compressed air flowing into the cylinder chamber 24 of the piston 12 through the communication hole 27, the pressure being transmitted to the piston 13, the piston 13 being moved to a position in which the pressure on said piston 13 is equilibrated with the pressing force of the spring member 29, whereby said compressed air is accumulatively pressurized.

When the piston 12 is pressed and the sustenance plate 26 abuts on the projection 20,'the valve member 23 of the integrally moving piston rod 15 reaches its highest position, simultaneously the piston 13 compressing the spring member 29 to the greatest extent, whereby the compressed air is pressurized up to a predetermined level.

The air passage 35 so far deprived of its communication with the cylinder chamber 19 by the valve member 23 now communicates with the cylinder chamber 19 through the penetration hole 21 and the notch 31 as a result of the elevation of the valve member 23 to its highest limit, whereby the compressed air accumulatively pressurized by the pressure of the spring member 29 through the piston 13 is spurted from the nozzle hole 14.

' The stopper 22 is detached from the partition wall 16 simultaneously with the movement of the piston rod 15, the liquid contained in the container (B) being sucked and sprayed as shown in FIG. 3 by the suction of the compressed air ducing its passage through nozzle hole 33 from the hole 34 since the liquid outlet 36 communicates with the interior of the container (B).

The pressure reduction of the compressed air arising simultaneously with spray is replenished by the extension of the spring member 29 adapted for supplying pressure'through the piston 13, whereby compressed air of predetermined pressure is spurted and the liquid is sprayed in a mist of uniform particles until the piston 13 is brought into abutment against the sustenance plate 26. If the finger pressure is removed from the piston 12 at the end of a spray, the piston 12 is restored to its initial position by the spring member 28, the outside air being ,led into the cylinder chamber 19 through the portion of the resilient piece 25 of the piston 12, thus preparation being made for a next spray. Referring now to FIG. 4 showing the second embodiment, explanation is omitted in reference to the parts having the same constrction and fuction as those shown in FIG. 1 to 3 by simply affixing the identical marks.

The spray device container in the second embodiment is larger in size than the first embodiment. Since it is used in an upright state, description is hereinunder given in reference to said state.

In the second embodiment, th'e'liquid contained in the container is pushed upwardly when the piston is pressed thereby enabling to spray with reliability the liquid in the lower part of the container held in an upright state. '3 i Below the partition wall 16' of the cylinder body 11 is provided a pipe holder member 40 so asto project into the container (B), the pipe holder member 40 being sustained with its flange at the upper peripheral edge sandwiched in between the upper end of the opening of the container (B) and the partition wall 16.

The pipe holder member 40 comprises a hollow portion 41 having a diameter permitting the outer periphery of the stopper 22 of the piston rod 15 to airtightly slide downwardly from the upper end of the pipe holder member 40; a longitudinal penetration hole 42 provided on one side of the hollow portion 41; a transverse groove 43 permitting the upper end of the longitudinal hole 42 and the hollow portion 41 to communicate with each other; and a communication hole 44 permitting the lower end of the hollow portion to communicate with the interior of the container (B).

To the lower end of the longitudinal hole 42 is communicatably connected a pipe 45 the lower end of which is located in the lower part within the container (B), a spring member 46 being constrictively provided within the hollow portion 41 for restoring the piston 12 to its elevated position through the piston rod 15.

In the second embodiment also, the tubular member '32 built within the nozzle 14 is formed integrally with the partition wall 16.

In case of spraying in the second embodiment, the piston 12 is pressed in the state in which the spray device is held upright, compressed air being pressurized in the cylinder chambers 19 and 24 as in the case of the first embodiment.

When the piston 12 is pressed downwardly, the stopper 22 of the piston rod 15 slides downwardly within the hollow portion 41 acting as a piston for compressing the air in the lower compartment with the result that the liquid contained in the container (B) is pressurized throught the communication hole 44, whereby said liquid is pushed upwardly through the pipe 45, the longitudinal hole 42 and the transverse groove 43 into the upper compartment of the hollow portion 41 formed by the descent of the stopper 22.

When the air passage 35 communicates with the cylinder chamber 19 as a result of the descent of the valve member 23 to its lowest position, the liquid is sprayed by the spurt of the compressed air and the suction .produced by said spurt.

If the piston 12 is released from the finger pressure after completion of a spray, the piston 12 is restored to its elevated position, the stopper 22.closing the lower end of the penetration hole 21 as shown in FIG. 4, thus preparation being made for a next spray.

Referring now to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5, description is omitted by simply affixing the identical marks in reference to the parts having the same construction and function as those of the first and second embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.

The spray device in the third embodiment is for use in an upright state as in case of the second embodiment, and therefore description is given hereinunder in reference to said state.

In the third embodiment, compressed air produced by the finger pressure is accumulatively pressurized by the use of springs and bellows.

Bellows 50 are mounted on the upper part of the sustenance plate 26 within the piston 12. The bellows 50 are airtightly secured to the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder chamber 24 in the state in which the open lower end outer periphery of annular bellows wall 51 is placed on the sustenance plate 26, the interior of the bellows 50 being adapted to communicate with the cylinder chamber 19 through the communication hole 27.

Furthermore, within the piston, between the upper wall 52 of the bellows 50 and the upper wall of said piston 12 is constrictively provided a spring member for invarably imparting contractile resilience to the bellows 50, the bellows 50 being ordinarily in a contracted state as a result of the urge of the spring member 29.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a spring member 28 for restoring the piston 12 is constrictively provided between the partition wall 16 and the sustenance plate 26 as in case of the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the piston 12 is pressed downwardly in an upright state, compressed air pressurized by the downward pressure applied to the piston 12 flowing into the bellows 50 through the communication hole 27, the bellows 50 being extended by the pressure to a position in which said pressure is equilibrated with the pressing force of the spring member 29, whereby the compressed air is accumulatively pressurized within the bellows 50.

Thereafter, the liquid is sprayed through the action of each part as in case of the second embodiment, the bellows 50 being restored to its contracted state after a spray.

In place of the bellows shown FIG. 5, a diaphragm may be employed so as to obtain the same effect. Needless to say, the piston 13 of the first embodiment of the spray device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be replaced with bellows or a diaphragm.

What is claimed is:

1. A pressure accumulative spray device comprising a cylinder body so formed that a cylinder chamber is provided on one side of a partition wall, the other side thereof being airtightly mountable on a container, a penetration hole provided through the partition wall being divided into a liquid admitting hole and a compressed air admitting hole by a piston rod penetrating said penetration hole, a nozzle communicating with both said holes being mountedon the outer periphery of the cylinder body so as to suck and spray the liquid when compressed air is spurted; a piston fitted into the cylinder chamber of the cylinder body so as to be-airtightly slidable on the inner periphery of said cylinder chamber when pressure is applied thereto thereby producing compressed air, said piston enabling to lead the outside air into the cylinder chamber at its return travel, said piston further having an air vent and being urged by restoring resilience by means of a spring member; a sustenance plate secured to the piston and connecting said piston to the piston rod, said sustenance plate causing the cylinder chamber to communicate with the interior of the piston; a piston built within the foregoing piston so as to be airtightly slidable by the compressed air produced when pressure is applied to the foregoing piston; a stopper provided with a spring member for imparting restoring resilience to the piston so as to accumulatively pressurizethe compressed air, the stopper opening or closing the communication between the liquid admitting hole and the container; and a valve member ordinarily closing the communication between the compressed air admitting hole and the interior of the cylinder chamber, said valve member causing the compressed air to spurt by allowing said hole to communicate with the piston chamber when the piston is pressed and the piston rod reaches the limit of its movement.

2. A pressure accumulative spray device as defined in claim 1 in which the lower end of the liquid admitting hole is prolonged to the bottom of the container. l 

1. A pressure accumulative spray device comprising a cylinder body so formed that a cylinder chamber is provided on one side of a partition wall, the other side thereof being airtightly mountable on a container, a penetration hole provided through the partition wall being divided into a liquid admitting hole and a compressed air admitting hole by a piston rod penetrating said penetration hole, a nozzle communicating with both said holes being mounted on the outer periphery of the cylinder body so as to suck and spray the liquid when compressed air is spurted; a piston fitted into the cylinder chamber of the cylinder body so as to be airtightly slidable on the inner periphery of said cylinder chamber when pressure is applied thereto thereby producing compressed air, said piston enabling to lead the outside air into the cylinder chamber at its return travel, said piston further having an air vent and being urged by restoring resilience by means of a spring member; a sustenance plate secured to the piston and connecting said piston to the piston rod, said sustenance plate causing the cylinder chamber to communicate with the interior of the piston; a piston built within the foregoing piston so as to be airtightly slidable by the compressed air produced when pressure is applied to the foregoing piston; a stopper provided with a spring member for imparting restoring resilience to the piston so as to accumulatively pressurize the compressed air, the stopper opening or closing the communication between the liquid admitting hole and the container; and a valve member ordinarily closing the communication between the compressed air admitting hole and the interior of the cylinder chamber, said valve member causing the compressed air to spurt by allowing said hole to communicate with the piston chamber when the piston is pressed and the piston rod reaches the limit of its movement.
 2. A pressure accumulative spray device as defined in claim 1 in which the lower end of the liquid admitting hole is prolonged to the bottom of the container. 